St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff, Wales
Visiting St Fagans National Museum of History
St Fagans National Museum of History (Sain Ffagan Amgueddfa Werin Cymru) is a must see for anyone curious about the architecture, culture, lifestyle and history of Wales.
Located in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, the museum is largely an open-air museum with around 45 buildings, all but two of which have been imported from around the country. St Fagans' buildings (not all of them original) span several thousand years, from iron-age roundhouses to post-war prefabricated houses.
It is a living, breathing museum where history comes alive. Among the more notable buildings are St Tello's Church (dating from circa 1100-1500), the Cilewent Farmhouse (1470), St Fagan's Castle and Gardens (1580), a Tudor Merchant's House (16th century), the Liainfadyn Cottage (1762), Melin Bompren corn Mill (1852), Maestir School (opened 1880) and a World War II air raid shelter. There is even a circa 1800 pigsty (much smaller than I had imaged), and, inexplicably (to this writer), a circa 1905 urinal from the Llandrindod Railway Station.
What to See
Visitors can also see displays of traditional crafts including a working blacksmith forge, a weaver, a potter, a miller and a clog maker. There are also three mills and a small farm which concentrates on preserving Welsh native breeds of sheep and livestock. You can get up close and personal with the sheep. For sale are goods from a bakery, the flour mill and a few other places.
The English- and Welsh-speaking workers (all workers must be able to speak Welsh) posted in the different buildings are super friendly and knowledgeable, and they are more than willing to answer any questions about the displays.
Alighting from the #32 bus from central Cardiff, you will be in front of the main entrance. Go in that building, pick up the free site map (it will be very helpful later) and have a look around. There are some interesting exhibits there before you hit the separate buildings. There are said to be 300,000 artifacts at the museum.
Exit the building at the back, and you are ready for some more Welsh history. Most of the displays are on the left side as you exit. On the right is mostly The St Fagans Castle and Gardens. Only a few rooms on the first floor of the castle are now open, but this is still something you should see.
For what it's worth, in 2011 Which Magazine named the museum as the United Kingdom's favourite visitor attraction among all museums and galleries with a customer satisfaction score (likely to recommend to others) of 90%. Similarly, walesonline.co.uk lists the museum as the top attraction in Wales.
History
Opened in 1948, the museum was the brainchild of Welsh poet and historian Dr. Iorwerth Peate, who didn't want to just display artifacts in glass cases like most other museums. He wanted to import or at least recreate entire buildings, which of course required transporting the edifices stone by stone from locations around Wales. The structures were then restored and fitted with period-appropriate furnishings. The museum now gets over 600,000 visitors a year and is said to be the 21st most-visited site in the U.K. It probably deserves to be higher than that.
Unlike other museums, this one isn't a great choice on a rainy day, unless you like opening and closing your umbrella dozens of times as you traverse the buildings which are scattered over 100 acres.
Those lucky enough to visit St Fagans in September may get to experience the annual food festival, which showcases the best of Welsh food. Visitors can sample traditional breads, pastries, cheeses and breads as well as learn about the traditional history of Wales' cuisine.
Visitors who can't come in September still have options such as a bakery, the Y Gegin Restaurant and Gweithday Café, which offer food and drinks. There is also a restaurant in the main building.
You will leave St Fagans with a deeper understanding of various aspects of Wales…and possibly a full stomach, too.
Access & Information
By Car
St Fagans is located four miles west of Cardiff City Centre. Those with satellite navigation can use the post code CF5 6XB.
By Bus
Cardiff Bus #32 stops in the museum parking lot in front of the main building.
To plan your journey, call the Traveline Cymru helpline at 0800 464 0000.
By Train
The nearest rail station is Waun-gron Park, located two miles from St Fagans. Waun-gron Park Station is located next to the main bus route to St Fagans. You can check train timetables at the National Rail Enquiries website or phone 0345 748 4950.
By Bicycle
The main cycle route to the Museum from Cardiff city centre is via the Ely Trail. The signposted section between Fairwater and the Museum is traffic-free and follows a charming, riverside route. You can cycle to the museum from Waun-gron Park Railway Station along a two-mile section of the Ely Trail.
Helpful websites and phone numbers
museum.wales/stfagans/about gives a good overview of the museum
Tel: 0300 111 2333.
Email: stfagans[at]museumwales.ac.uk
Opening Hours
10am - 5pm daily except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Admission Fee
Admission is free, although a charge may apply for some exhibitions, events and activities. The suggested time to allocate to St Fagans is 4-5 hours.
Photography
Visitors are welcome to take photos for their own personal use, but commercial, wedding, family photo shoots etc., are subject to approval and necessitate a fee.
Parking
Car parking costs £7 per day and can be paid by cash or card. No charge for disabled badge holders and motorbikes.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in most outside areas of the museum on a short, non-extendable leash. Dogs are not allowed in areas with sheep or cattle.
Other notes:
No smoking, vaping or flying of drones are allowed anywhere on the grounds. Baby carriages (prams) are only allowed outside, but only on the inside of a few sites.
Text & images by Marshall Hughes
Author of Rural Reflections
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